BEREA, Ohio -- Former Philadelphia Eagles president Joe Banner will join Jimmy Haslam in Cleveland once the sale is approved, according to league sources.

The Plain Dealer reported last week that Banner will play an integral role here, but Banner declined to comment.

Banner, 59, resigned as Eagles President on June 7th to pursue the challenge of part-ownership in an NFL team. Eagles President since 2001, Banner has been with the Eagles front office since 1994 and is a childhood friend of Eagles owner Jeff Lurie.

A source said Banner and Heckert parted on fine terms when he left in 2010 to take over as general manager of the Browns -- the same post he held in Philly but with final say over the roster in Cleveland. It remains to be seen if Banner will keep Heckert as GM.

But if Banner assumed the title of President it most likely spells the end of Mike Holmgren in Cleveland. Holmgren is in the third year of a five-year deal with the Browns that pays him $8 million a year. He said Thursday he'd like to stay on, and feels the Browns are on the verge of becoming a winning team.

Lurie told thee Courier-Post of Banner last month: "...if I were looking to buy an NFL franchise or any sports franchise, or was an owner that wasn't feeling his organization wasn't maximizing, this is a phenomenal opportunity to find an executive that could do everything to make you successful.''

"Whatever Joe chooses, he's going to be very successful and there's no question about it. A lot of people at a similar age, they may want to count their successes and relax more and head into a slower version of retirement. This guy is the opposite. I have so much respect for him and he's ready for something that is stimulating, challenging, and difficult.

"We should all be so lucky to have that adrenaline to be so motivated and smart. I can't imagine having someone not take advantage of the opportunity of what he wants to pursue."

The Courier-Post also reported that the Eagles made the playoffs in 11 of Banner's 17 years, second only to the Colts (13). From 2000-09, they won an NFC-best 103 regular-season and 10 playoff games. Their five division titles from 2000-09 were second only to the Patriots (seven.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.